Burundi national football team

The Burundi football team was created in 1971 by the Football Federation of Burundi. The Swallows' first match was in a 1976 African Cup of Nations qualification match against Somalia, which ended in a 2–0 victory. Following a 1–0 loss in the second leg, Burundi qualified to meet Egypt in the next round where they lost 5–0 on aggregate and were eliminated. It would be seventeen years before Burundi played another AFCON qualifying match. In their first twenty years, Burundi played in twenty fixtures and managed 6 wins, 2 draws and 12 defeats.

In 1992, Burundi entered the qualification rounds for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, but were eliminated in the first round following one win (1–0 against Ghana), one draw (0–0 against Algeria) and two losses in the reverse fixtures to finish bottom of the group. Burundi then finished joint top in their 1994 African Cup of Nations qualification group however they lost their play-off match against Guinea on penalties. Due to the Burundian Civil War, Burundi withdrew from the 1996 and 1998 AFCON qualifiers and, despite beating Sierra Leone 2–0 on aggregate and qualifying for the final round of the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, they withdrew again.

Following successive withdrawals from the AFCON qualifiers, Burundi returned for the 2000 competition, beating Tanzania in the preliminary rounds before finishing third in their group behind Burkina Faso and Senegal. In the 2002 qualifiers, Burundi again advanced to the group stages of qualification by beating Djibouti (4–1), but finished last in their group with only two points. In 2004, Burundi performed even worse, collecting no points and finishing last behind South Africa and Ivory Coast. In 2008 Burundi finished five points behind leaders Egypt and didn't make it through to the next round. In 2012 Burundi were even further adrift, finishing thirteen points behind group winners Ivory Coast. For the 2013 qualifiers, Burundi failed to advance due to away goals against Zimbabwe (2–2), and in 2015 they lost to Botswana (1–0) .

Burundi did not participate in the 2002 qualification process but re-entered in 2006, only to get knocked out by Gabon in the first round (4–1). In 2010, Burundi managed two victories, both against Seychelles but failed to go through behind Burkina Faso and Tunisia. The 2006 and 2010 qualifiers doubled as qualification for the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations. The following qualification cycle, Burundi were eliminated by Lesotho in the first round (3–2).

After falling in the second qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup against DR Congo, Burundi focused on convincing Gaël Bigirimana and Saido Berahino to come and play for the selection, both playing in Europe (for Hibernian and Stoke City respectively). Both players agreed and Berahino scored on his debut to earn the team a 1–1 draw against Gabon. In March 2019, in the final group game, Burundi played a decisive match against Gabon needing only one point to qualify. The match ended in a draw (1–1), with a goal from Cédric Amissi earning Burundi their first opportunity to play in the Africa Cup of Nations. Burundi lost all three of their matches at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, failing to register a single goal.

Traditionally, the Burundi team wears the three colours of its flag: red, green and white.

During these beginnings, Burundi is equipped by Erreà, an Italian sports brand. In 2012, he signed a contract with Adidas for a period of 10 years. Despite this long-term contract with Adidas, Burundi is committed in 2018 with Nike. She even signs a contract with Lumitel (a phone brand).

The Burundi team have played most of their matches in Bujumbura at the Intwari Stadium. The second match in its history, Burundi is playing its first home match against Somalia (3–0 victory). The Prince Louis Rwagasore stadium is home to Vital'O FC and Prince Louis FC, as well as the national team. The stadium has been renovated several times, notably in March 2018, due to a flooded pitch.

During the matches at the Prince Louis Rwagasore stadium, the Burundian supporters are often outnumbered, in particular because of the rather low capacity of the stadium (10,000 seats) for around 13,000 spectators. Just like the players, the supporters dress in red, green and white and bring the flag of the country. During the match in March 2019 against Gabon, the authorities have made additional seats available because of the lack of space in the stands.

The following 23 players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Namibia on 20 June 2023.[3]

Caps and goals are correct as of 28 March 2023, after the match against  Indonesia.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Onésime Rukundo	(1999-04-09) 9 April 1999	12	0	Le Messager Ngozi
	1GK	Fabien Mutombora	(1997-04-07) 7 April 1997	6	0	Vipers
	1GK	Justin Ndikumana	(1993-03-01) 1 March 1993	4	0	Coastal Union
	1GK	Aladin Bizimana	(2000-04-01) 1 April 2000	0	0	RFC Warnant
	2DF	Christophe Nduwarugira	(1994-06-22) 22 June 1994	42	7	Académico Viseu
	2DF	Rashid Léon Harerimana	(1994-03-14) 14 March 1994	35	0	Kayanza United
	2DF	David Nshimirimana	(1993-02-01) 1 February 1993	29	0	Sofapaka
	2DF	Youssouf Ndayishimiye	(1998-10-27) 27 October 1998	18	1	Nice
	2DF	Marco Weymans	(1997-07-09) 9 July 1997	10	0	Beerschot
	2DF	Ismail Nshimirimana	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000	8	0	Kiyovu Sports
	2DF	Collins Muhindo Mashauri	(2001-05-05) 5 May 2001	2	0	Aigle Noir Makamba
	2DF	Derrick Mukombozi	(1999-04-26) 26 April 1999	2	0	Nkana
	3MF	Shassiri Nahimana	(1993-08-05) 5 August 1993	39	2	Bandari
	3MF	Jospin Nshimirimana	(2001-12-12) 12 December 2001	12	8	Yeni Malatyaspor
	3MF	Abedi Bigirimana	(2002-01-01) 1 January 2002	7	1	Kiyovu Sports
	3MF	Aaron Musore	(1999-12-28) 28 December 1999	4	0	Green Eagles
	3MF	Trésor Mossi	(2001-08-28) 28 August 2001	2	0	UN Käerjéng 97
	4FW	Irakoze Donasiyano	(1998-02-03) 3 February 1998	1	0	Oakland Roots
	3MF	Jordi Liongola	(2000-05-17) 17 May 2000	1	0	La Louvière
	3MF	Emmanuel Mvuyekure	(1993-06-10) 10 June 1993	1	0	KMC
	3MF	Jean-Claude Girumugisha	(2004-09-18) 18 September 2004	0	0	Magara Young Boys
	4FW	Hussein Shabani	(1990-06-26) 26 June 1990	23	1	AS Kigali
	4FW	Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana	(1997-11-21) 21 November 1997	19	4	Kaizer Chiefs
	4FW	Saido Berahino (Captain)	(1993-08-04) 4 August 1993	17	2	AEL Limassol
	4FW	Elvis Kamsoba	(1996-06-27) 27 June 1996	6	0	Sepahan
	4FW	Bienvenue Kanakimana	(1999-12-28) 28 December 1999	6	0	MFK Vyškov
	4FW	Pacifique Niyongabire	(2000-03-15) 15 March 2000	3	1	Valour FC
	4FW	Richard Kirongozi Bazombwa	(2000-06-13) 13 June 2000	1	0	Bumamuru
	4FW	Crispaldinho Chubaka	(1996-12-10) 10 December 1996	0	0	RCS Verlaine

The following players have been called up for Burundi in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Dieudonné Ntibahezwa	(1998-02-02) 2 February 1998	0	0	Flambeau du Centre	v.  Indonesia; 25 March 2023 PRE
GK	Jonathan Nahimana	(1999-12-12) 12 December 1999	31	0	KMC	v.  Ivory Coast; 16 November 2022
DF	Karim Nizigiyimana	(1989-06-21) 21 June 1989	64	0	Gasogi United	v.  Indonesia; 28 March 2023
DF	Frédéric Nsabiyumva	(1995-04-26) 26 April 1995	39	0	Västerås	v.  Indonesia; 25 March 2023 PRE
DF	Diamant Ramazani	(1999-02-18) 18 February 1999	7	0	Almería	v.  Ivory Coast; 16 November 2022
DF	Samuel Ndizeye	(2000-11-28) 28 November 2000	0	0	Rayon Sports	v.  Ivory Coast; 16 November 2022
DF	Aime Nihorimbere	(2000-01-11) 11 January 2000	0	0	MP	v.  Ivory Coast; 16 November 2022
MF	Stève Nzigamasabo	(1990-12-10) 10 December 1990	21	1	KMC	v.  Indonesia; 28 March 2023
MF	Omar Moussa	(1997-08-30) 30 August 1997	20	0	Police	v.  Indonesia; 28 March 2023
MF	Saidi Ntibazonkiza	(1987-05-01) 1 May 1987	28	13	Simba	v.  Indonesia; 28 March 2023
MF	Gaël Bigirimana	(1993-10-22) 22 October 1993	22	0	Young Africans	v.  Ivory Coast; 16 November 2022
FW	Cédric Amissi	(1990-03-20) 20 March 1990	55	10	Al-Qadsiah	v.  Indonesia; 25 March 2023 PRE
FW	Mohamed Amissi	(2000-08-03) 3 August 2000	18	0	Free agent	v.  Indonesia; 25 March 2023 PRE
FW	Sudi Abdallah	(2000-01-05) 5 January 2000	2	0	Kuching City	v.  Ivory Coast; 16 November 2022
FW	Patrick Kanianga	(2001-08-03) 3 August 2001	0	0	Sakaryaspor	v.  Ivory Coast; 13 November 2022
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. PRE Preliminary squad. RET Player has retired from international football. WIT Withdrew from the squad SUS Suspended from the national team, red or yellow cards.